Malaysia Today

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Malaysia Today is a Malaysian news website. It is known for being critical of both the governing Barisan Nasional coalition and opposition parties such as Parti Keadilan Rakyat. Its editor is Raja Petra Kamarudin, a former political detainee. Founded in August 2004, it has claimed that it has received almost 100 million hits since then, and alleges it has a readership larger than that of the New Straits Times, a major English language daily newspaper in Malaysia. Kamarudin, Raja Petra (Jan. 2, 2006). ["The pen is mightier than the sword"]. Malaysia Today.

Malaysia Today was started about two weeks before the release of Anwar Ibrahim from prison; Anwar was once Deputy Prime Minister, but fell from grace after his actions during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, and was sacked by then Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad. Anwar was detained in 1998 under charges of sodomy, and was imprisoned until a court overturned the verdict of guilty in 2004. Raja Petra, who was the webmaster of the Free Anwar Campaign website, decided to form Malaysia Today shortly before Anwar's release as part of a "Free Malaysia" campaign. Raja Petra took credit for predicting that Anwar would be released several weeks before it actually occurred. Kamarudin, Raja Petra (Feb. 20, 2006). [Didn’t I tell you so?] Malaysia Today.

The stated goal of Malaysia Today was to test "how far Malaysia under its new Prime Minister (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) can honour, respect and tolerate free speech." Raja Petra also promised "no censorship", opening a commenting section for readers to place their comments, no matter "how unreasonable or stupid" they were.Kamarudin, Raja Petra (Dec. 6, 2004). ["Malaysia Today: the Free Malaysia Campaign"]. Malaysia Today.

The website is reportedly unpopular in both government and opposition circles, due to its criticisms of both sides. Raja Petra claimed this to be because "We will whack Umno. We will whack the powers-that-be. We will whack the opposition. And we will whack the opposition leaders," in line with the website's "no censorship" policy.Kamarudin, Raja Petra (Dec. 30, 2004). ["A taste of one’s own medicine"]. Malaysia Today.

In 2005, Malaysia Today became known for its criticism of Prime Minister Abdullah's son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin in a series entitled "The Khairy Chronicles". In 2006, the series was briefly halted because, according to Raja Petra, "'certain parties' met to discuss how to close down Malaysia Today and end The Khairy Chronicles once and for all." However, he claimed to have escaped prosecution because the government was unable to directly link The Khairy Chronicles to him.Kamarudin, Raja Petra (Jan. 22, 2006). ["Khairy Chronicles in review"]. Malaysia Today.

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